Sahasranama position 481 of the 1,000 names

Mahipataya

महीपाताय

Mahīpātāya

What Mahipataya means

Mahipataya is name 481 in the Kalabhairava Sahasranama, the 1,000-name devotional text to Kalabhairava. Salutations To The one who is the great protector and ruler of the earth.

Also spelled

  • Mahipata
  • Source transliteration: MAHIIPAATAAYA

Sanskrit names travel into English in several romanizations. This page keeps the common spelling, the IAST form, and the source transliteration together so the same name is discoverable under each spelling readers use.

Meaning and elaboration

Meaning: Salutations To The one who is the great protector and ruler of the earth.

Elaboration

The name Mahipāta is a compound of Mahī and Pāta, and it signifies Kalabhairava's profound connection to and authority over the earth.

Mahī: This Sanskrit term refers to the earth, the ground, or a large tract of land. It often symbolizes the material world, the physical realm, and all that it encompasses.

Pāta: From the root "pā," meaning "to protect," "to rule," "to guard," or "to nourish."

Great Protector of the Earth As Mahipāta, Kalabhairava is venerated as the supreme guardian and protector of the earth (Mahī) and all its inhabitants. This aspect emphasizes his role in maintaining cosmic order, ensuring the stability and well-being of the planetary realm. He safeguards the natural environment, the creatures that dwell within it, and the very ground we walk upon. His protection extends to averting calamities, balancing elemental forces, and preserving the sanctity of the terrestrial plane.

Ruler and Sustainer Beyond mere protection, "Pāta" also implies lordship and sustenance. Therefore, Mahipāta signifies Kalabhairava as the ultimate sovereign and ruler of the earth. He is the one who governs its cycles, regulates its rhythms, and provides for the sustenance of all life forms. This highlights his omnipresent control over the material world, ensuring fertility, growth, and equilibrium.

Cosmic Authority This name underscores Kalabhairava's universal dominion and his capacity to oversee and govern vast aspects of creation. It connects him to the physical manifestation of the universe, affirming his role not just as a destroyer of time and fear, but also as a fundamental force responsible for the preservation and continuation of the earthly existence. He is the divine authority who ensures that the earth fulfills its cosmic purpose.

-

Text and sources

The name list follows the Kalabhairava Sahasranama as compiled for this project. The English meaning and elaboration are interpretive notes for devotional study, not a translation of a single critical edition.

Read the editorial method and source notes →

About the author · Contact and corrections · Privacy policy